Aero smoke bomb



. Apri@ le 192% w. L. SHIVELY 1,709,597

AERo suomi: 30MB Filed` March 26, 1921 Patented Apr. 16, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT oFFIcE.

WALTER L. SHIVELY,` 0F WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE' GOVERNMENT E THE UNITED STATES 0F AMERICA, REPRESENTED BY THE SEC- J RETARY OF THE NAVY.

AERO SMOKE BOMB.

Application led March 26, 1921. Serial No. 455,897.

This invention relates to improvements 1n -aero bombs and more particularly that type known as smoke bombs.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a bomb of the above general character of simple and practical construction adapted to be launched from aircraft 4for the purpose of producing a. smoke screen, a signal or a toxic cloud, according tothe ingredients used in the bomb, at any given point on the surface of the water.

A lfurther object is to provide a bomb'of the above general character of such specific gravity as to insure its floating on the water and of such shape as to have good flight characteristics when launched.

A further object is to providea bomb of the last -above mentionedcharacter that will strike nose first," to insure subsequent operation, and of such strength as to withstand the shock of impact when dropped from a considerable height.

A further object is to provide an aero'- bomb with a reliable and efficient igniting means and one that may be depended upon to continue in operation regardless of the surface condition of the water.

Other objects will be in part obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out in connecings wherein is shown one of various possible modifications in longitudinal section.

Referring-now to the drawing in detail, 1, denotes the body portion of the bomb preferably composed of light wood in order to obtain' the desired specic gravity and cause the same to float in a general vertical.

position. Securedto this body portion by means of screws 2 or other suitable fasten- -ing means is a head 3 preferably of aluminum and adapted to contain what is herein f termed the smoke mixture 4 although it is to bel understood, of course, that other mixtures may be contained within the head for producing a iare or toxic gas as desired. The head 4 is separated from the body por- A tion lby^1neans of a partition 5 provided with an opening 6 closed by a container of an'igniter or booster compound 7 which in turn is ignited by means of the slow match 8 extending to the impact fuse 10 at the nose ofthe bomb. l This impact `-fuse may be of any desired type adapted to insure operation on impact with the surface of the Water..1

The body of the bomb is providedwith tion with the accompanying sheet of draw.

a longitudinally disposed opening 1l closed at t-he rear end by avalve mechanism comprising a frustro-conieal casting 12- secured to the tail of the bomb by fastening devices 13 and having attached tins 14 preferably 6: arranged at 90 in order to better insure v the proper iight'of the ybomb when launched. This casting 12 is provided with an opening adapted to be closed by a diaphragm 22 and normally held in closed `position by means of a spring 15 acting between a head 16 on valve stem 17 and a support 18 secured to the casting 12S This valve is of such construction as to permit the smoke `or gases to pass out through the opening but prevent the lingress of water at all times.

Suitable reinforcing means 20 are wrapped around the bomb to prevent splitting and a shackle 21 is preferably secured near the forward end to coaet with the usual launching gear.

The operation of this device is substantially as follows The bomb is carried and released from the usual bombing gear of aircraft in the usual well-known manner. Up' on release the bomb falls nose downwards through the air in a steady even lnanner due to the location of the center of gravity in the fore part of bomb, the streamline shape, and the stabilizing fins 14. The igniter fuse 10 is no Way acted upon 'during the release of the bomb, or its flight through the air, asis commonly practiced; but is preferably operated solely by the impact of the bomb with the surface of the water. The flash of the fuse 10 ignites the slow match 8 which is of such length that the booster charge 7 is not ignited until after a delay sulicient for the downward flight ofthe bomb to have *been4 checked and for it to have become stable on the surface of the water. The burning of this booster charge melts the container which 'is-preferably of zinc or other easily fusible metal and when the wall of the container has been melted through, the smoke 100 mixture or other compound contained within the head is ignited: the smoke then produced passes through the longitudinal passage 11 and out through the valve 22, which from its construction. yields t0 pressure from 105 within; but prevents the entry of water into the,bomb. The pressure of the issuing smoke ,forces the valve or disc l22 to the extreme length of its travel against the action of the y spring 15 and holds it in this position where 110 `it acts as a bale to minimize the skyrocket effect of the radidly issuing smoke which might otherwise tend to submerge the bomb.

From the above it is seen that the present invention yprovides a simple and practical aero bomb particularly adapted for the uses above set forth and one adapted to accomplish all the objects herein set forth.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of this invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting certain features that, from the standpoint Vof the prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of thisI invention, and, therefore, such adaptations are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalency of the following claims.

What I claim is 1. In an aero bomb, in combination, a buoyant assembly comprising a nose chamber adapted to contain a smoke mixture or the like and having a longitudinal passageway from said nose chamber to the opposite end of the bomb and means at said end of said passageway to permit the egress of some and prevent the entrance of water.

2.4 In an aero bomb, in combination, a buoyant assembly of streamline form, comprising a nose chamber adapted to contain a smoke mixture or the like and having a longitudinal passageway to the opposite end, and valve means at the end of said passageway to permit egress of smoke and prevent entrance of water.

3. In an aero bomb, in combination, a buoyant assembly'whose center of gravity is such that it will fall through the air and float in the water substantially vertically,

said assembly comprising a hollow1 nose adapted to contain smoke mixture or the like, a longitudinal passageway leading from said smoke mixture, a valve at the end of said passageway to permit egress of smoke and prevent entrance of Water, and means adapted to ignite the smoke mixture.

4. In an aero bomb, in combination, a buoyant streamline assembly adapted to contain a smoke mixture or the like and having a longitudinal passageway leading from said mixture, a valve at the end of said passage- Way adapted to prevent entrance of water, yet permit egress of smoke and means for igniting the smoke mixture on impact with the water comprising a fuse and a slow match which permits the bomb to come to the surface after dropping and before the smoke mixture is ignited.

5. In anv aero bomb, in combination, a buoyant assembly adapted to contain smoke mixture and provided with an opening, a valve for said opening designed to prevent the entrance of water to the interior of the bomb before the same has an opportunity to come to the surface after dropping, and means to insure an even flight of saidA assembly through the air comprising fins or vanes attached thereto and a delay action igniting means for the smoke mixture.

6. In an aero bomb, in combination, a chamber adapted to contain a smoke mixture or the like, a body portion of buoyant material having a longitudinal passage-Way and means at the end of said passage-way to effect a lateral dispersion of the rapidly issuing smoke, which prevents submergence of the bomb.

Signed at Washington, District of Columbia, this 11th day of February, 1921.

- WALTER L. SHIVELY. 

